Kiwi Heroes - Dr Edric Baker
Dr Edric Baker is an inspirational New Zealand medical doctor who has worked in an isolated rural area in northern Bangladesh for over 20 years. His vision of 'health care for the poor' by the poor' has seen the establishment of the Kailakuri Health Centre.
The Centre has a staff of approx 80 - Edric is the only one with any formal medical qualifications. Everyone else at Kailakuri has been trained on the job. Most of the staff have been to primary school and about half have been to high school.
Currently the Centre is providing health services annually to
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20,000 poor out patients
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Very ill inpatients — 11,000 bed nights
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1,119 diabetics
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89 tuberculosis sufferers
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700 pregnant and young mothers in 17 villages
The total annual operating budget for this is approx NZ$229,000.
Edric's enthusiasm and energy has brought together people of different ethnicity and faith - Bengali Muslim, Mandi Christian, Borman Hindu. They all work harmoniously together for the good of their community, providing health services for the poor, by the poor. We are currently working on a succession strategy for Eric, who for so long has been the engine room of this initiative. Pleasing progress is being made in that respect.
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